Trade surplus jumped 137.6% to RM38.67bil in Jan-Feb, says Matrade

2026-03-19 - 04:41

Matrade said trade performance was primarily driven by the electrical and electronics sector, which expanded 34.2% to RM131.34 billion and accounted for 47.3% of total exports. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s trade surplus grew 137.6% to RM38.67 billion in the first two months of 2026, driven by stronger export growth, with total trade rising 11% to RM516.89 billion, says the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). In a statement today, Matrade said trade performance was primarily driven by the electrical and electronics sector, which expanded 34.2% to RM131.34 billion and accounted for 47.3% of total exports. Other key contributors included machinery, equipment and parts, which grew 39.8% to RM12.49 billion, as well as palm oil and agriculture, which rose 6.6% to RM12.41 billion. The agency said exports to traditional markets such as the US and Hong Kong recorded strong gains, while expansion into emerging markets across Africa and Latin America supported diversification efforts. Matrade CEO Abu Bakar Yusof also said that despite these gains, the agency’s immediate priority was to mitigate the impact of logistical disruptions caused by the geopolitical crisis in West Asia. “Our immediate priority now is to mitigate the blockade affecting our cargo by leveraging our local presence in West Asia to gauge real-time feedback on the logistical hurdles,” he said. Abu Bakar said a recent survey found that 63.9% of exporters expected their shipments to be affected, citing delays and rising ocean freight costs. “We are mobilising our offices in Dubai, Jeddah, Cairo, and Doha to provide ground-level intelligence and assist exporters in navigating the total Middle East maritime lockdown,” he said.